SAWs® is a nonprofit, volunteer organization founded in 2003. Originally started in Indianapolis, our organization serves clients across Indiana, as well as Arizona and Virginia. We specialize in building wooden wheelchair ramps for low-income, permanently disabled individuals. With the support of our donors and volunteers, lives are changed one ramp at a time and in less than six hours we transform a client’s life FOREVER.
Mathew is a middle school aged boy who has a permanent disability that confines him to his wheelchair. Mathew’s mother had been carrying him in and out of the home but could no longer physically do so. Recently, a team of 10 volunteers graciously gave their time and talents to build Mathew’s ramp. Mathew smiled from ear to ear . . . freedom!
After cutting the ribbon at the top platform, Hannah jubilantly cried, “I have my independence back! Thank you! I love it, I absolutely love it!”.
We’ve all heard the expression “your life can change in an instant.” As the final screws were being drilled in place, Shelicia called Talica and they FaceTimed with the Project Managers. She witnessed the completed ramp from her hospital bed. Talica could finally come home!
“There are tremendous leaders volunteering their time with SAWS and I always come away with a sense of gratitude and satisfaction. I am so thankful to them to teach me and others about ramp building and how to create safe, life-changing structures for our clients. All the staff and leaders of SAWS have been wonderful to work with during my experiences as a volunteer.”-Chris
“The experience was again very well organized and implemented. The SAWs ‘people’ were very patient and helped make everyone feel significant. This is a wonderful organization and a blessing to the ramp recipients and to the volunteers.” -Jane
Because SAWs® does not charge low-income, permanently disabled persons for their ramps, we depend on the generosity of individuals, churches, corporations and nonprofit organizations to support our efforts.
SAWs® is in the process of building a strong referral network consisting of healthcare providers and nonprofit agencies that already work with our future clients and are more familiar with their circumstances.
SAWs® is in the process of building a strong referral network consisting of healthcare providers and nonprofit agencies that already work with our future clients and are more familiar with their circumstances.